Kuala lumpur: Observers from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, will be deployed under the peace deal signed by Cambodia and Thailand today, said United States President Donald Trump. "(That is to) make sure that the peace prevails and endures, and I have no doubt that it will," he stated before witnessing the signing of the Cambodia-Thailand peace deal here today. Also in attendance was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the agreement, dubbed the 'KL Peace Accord,' was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The Summit, hosted by Malaysia, began today.
Trump emphasized that under the peace deal, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to cease all hostilities and work towards building good neighborly relationships. The agreement also includes the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war. "I am proud to help settle this conflict and forge a future for the region where proud, independent nations can prosper and thrive, safety, security, and peace," he added.
The peace deal is seen as a significant milestone in ASEAN's regional diplomacy, showcasing the bloc's commitment to conflict prevention, stability, and cooperation under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. The longstanding dispute over the 817-kilometer border between Thailand and Cambodia had recently escalated into a military confrontation on July 24.
On July 28, a pivotal meeting hosted by Anwar in Putrajaya between Manet and the then Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai successfully defused tensions. The resulting ceasefire was widely regarded as a major ASEAN achievement, preventing further military escalation and ensuring the safety of thousands of civilians.
Malaysia is hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit from Oct 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Trump, marking the first visit by a US President to Malaysia in a decade, also expressed his willingness to address other global conflicts. Noting ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he stated his readiness to help 'halt' these crises if possible.
Trump's visit marks him as the third US president in history to visit Malaysia, following Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 and Barack Obama in 2014 and 2015.